Ideologies of Environmentalism

Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the state of the environment. Environmentalism and environmental concerns are often represented by the color green.

Environmentalism can also be seen as a social movement that seeks to influence the political process by lobbying, activism, and education in order to protect natural resources and ecosystems. An environmentalist is a person who may speak out about our natural environment and the sustainable management of its resources through changes in public policy or individual behavior by supporting practices such as not being wasteful. In various ways, environmentalists and environmental organizations seek to give the natural world a stronger voice in human affairs

Air Pollution and Growth, 1990-2008

Concern for the impact on human life of problems such as air and water pollution dates to at least Roman times. Pollution was associated with the spread of epidemic disease in Europe between the late 14th century and the mid 16th century, and soil conservation was practiced in China, India, and Peru as early as 2,000 years ago. In general such concerns did not give rise to public activism.

The political goals of the contemporary green movement in the industrialized West focused on changing government policy and promoting environmental social values. In the less-industrialized or developing world, environmentalism has been more closely involved in emancipatory politics and grassroots activism on issues such as poverty, democratization, and political and human rights, including the rights of women and indigenous peoples.

The electoral strategies of the environmental movement included the nomination of environmental candidates and the registration of green political parties. These parties were conceived of as a new kind of political organization that would bring the influence of the grassroots environmental movement directly to bear on the machinery of government, make the environment a central concern of public policy, and render the institutions of the state more democratic, transparent, and accountable.

Signing of Anglo-Soviet Environmental Agreement Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Kirillin and British Secretary of State for the Environment Anthony Crossland sign the Anglo-Soviet Agreement on Environmental Protection. DATE PHOTOGRAPHED May, 1974 LOCATION Westminster, London, England, UK

Anthropocentrism
The theory of anthropocentrism says that the world exists for humanity. Believers in this philosophy would say that humans can rightfully try to benefit as much as possible from the environment. These arguments are obviously objectionable to the environmental movement. Environmentalists would argue that animals have the right to coexist with humans in nature, and some would also add that nature has inherent value beyond its use to humanity.

Ecocentrism
Is a philosophy that recognizes that the ecosphere, rather than any individual organism, is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and eco-centric approach to government, industry, and individual. Although in theory every educated person knows that the world is more than people, resources

Sustainable development
Is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity. As early as the 1970s "sustainability" was employed to describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems.

Project realised by Chis Carmen